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A recent study has confirmed that the KP.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as the dominant strain in India, with a significant prevalence in Maharashtra. This research, conducted by a team from BJ Government Medical College & Sassoon General Hospitals, highlights the growing impact of this new variant on the Indian population.
The KP.2 strain is classified under the FLiRT variant group, which is a descendant of the Omicron lineage. Omicron was known for its high transmissibility and ability to evade immune responses, and KP.2 continues this trend. Identified globally for the first time in January 2024, KP.2 is a descendant of Omicron’s JN.1 variant.
In India, KP.2 was first detected in December 2023 in Odisha. The study analyzed a total of 5,173 SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequences collected between November 2023 and June 2024. The findings, published in the Cureus: Journal of Medical Science, reveal that the JN.1 lineage remains predominant at 65.96%, followed by KP.2 at 7.83%, and KP.1 at 3.27%.
Notably, the majority of KP.2 cases were reported in Maharashtra (61.23%), with other significant numbers in West Bengal (9.38%), Gujarat (6.67%), and Rajasthan (5.93%). The variant has been associated with mild symptoms such as fever, cold, cough, sore throat, body ache, and fatigue, with a high recovery rate of 99.38%. Only 0.62% of cases resulted in fatalities.
Dr. Rajesh Karyakarte, Professor and Head of the Department of Microbiology at BJ Government Medical College, emphasized the implications of these findings in a social media post. He noted that while KP.2 cases generally result in mild illness, the variant’s ability to evade immune responses and its high infectivity warrant increased vigilance.
Dr. Karyakarte also stressed the importance of robust genomic surveillance and monitoring to accurately assess the burden of Covid-19. He highlighted the challenges posed by declining active surveillance, testing rates, and wastewater monitoring, which could hinder the effective forecasting and management of potential outbreaks.
The study underscores the need for continuous epidemiological monitoring to mitigate the impact of emerging variants and enhance public health preparedness.
